Thirty-three years ago last week was the world’s worst offshore oil disaster. The Piper Alpha platform in the North Sea exploded, killing 167 men, while only 61 escaped. While petroleum industry safety has improved enormously since, complacency is never an option as new challenges emerge.
The Piper Alpha catastrophe was, as with almost all such events, the result of a combination of wrong policies, bad decisions, bad luck and missed opportunities that would have prevented it. The platform had been converted about a decade earlier from oil to gas production, with design compromises that ended up with the gas compressor next to the control room. A pump was under repair and the next shift was not informed.
When a second pump failed, shortly before 10pm, the first pump was turned on but it leaked and exploded, destroying the control room. The automatic firefighting system had been switched to manual. Without controls, the crew could not turn on the water pumps, organise an emergency response or evacuation, or inform neighbouring installations of what was happening.
These platforms continued to pump gas to Piper Alpha, even though they could see the fire, because they thought they lacked the authority to order a shutdown. Company culture demanded that production continue unless it was absolutely necessary to stop. Two further enormous explosions from the feeder gas lines destroyed much of Piper Alpha and forced a firefighting and rescue vessel to pull away.
Shortly before midnight, the structure collapsed, carrying the fireproofed accommodation block, where about a hundred crew were sheltering, to the seabed. Their bodies were found later that year. Most of the accident’s 61 survivors escaped by jumping into the water, some falling 53 metres, despite having been told the drop would kill them.
The subsequent Cullen Inquiry was enormously influential – not only in identifying the specific causes of the disaster but in rethinking the whole basis of offshore oil industry safety. A system of rigid, prescriptive and outdated rules was replaced. Operators are now required to present and continually update a “safety case”, demonstrating comprehensively that their system is safe for its intended use and that risks have been reduced as far as practicable.
The industry remains relatively dangerous: in the US, the fatality rate is lower that of the agricultural and logging sectors but similar to that of the transport industry and higher than that of construction. However, the most common cause of petroleum worker deaths these days is not explosions or machinery-related, but road accidents.
Maintaining safety requires ceaseless vigilance. Company mergers and periods of cost-cutting can easily erode successful safety cultures.
After a long period of low oil and gas prices in the 1990s, many plants became rundown. The ignition of a leak at Algeria’s Skikda liquefied natural gas plant in 2004 destroyed it and killed 27 people. After the mergers of BP, Amoco and Arco between 1998 and 2000, the British company inherited the Texas City refinery. Poor maintenance was blamed for an explosion in 2005 that killed 15 workers.
After Piper Alpha, the most serious and famous offshore accident was the Deepwater Horizon blowout during drilling on BP’s Macondo field in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the 126 crew, 11 were killed, and the largest ever offshore oil leak took five months to contain while contaminating a long stretch of coastline. The company eventually estimated its costs for the disaster at $65 billion.
In March 2012, a serious gas leak at Total’s Elgin platform in the North Sea fortunately avoided a disastrous explosion.
Iran’s oil industry has suffered a string of recent accidents, which may be related to mismanagement, inadequate equipment because of sanctions and, in some cases, sabotage.
Most recently, on July 2, Mexico’s Ku-Maloob-Zaap field suffered an undersea pipeline leak, leading to an intense fire burning on the sea surface, although it seems to have been extinguished without serious damage.
Such accidents make headlines even more easily now because of the prevalence of smartphone cameras and social media videos. The oil and gas industry is already unpopular in many countries because of its connection with climate change and other environmental damage.
Operating safely is essential for human life, financial viability and long-term social acceptance. Good practices go along with preventing leaks and conducting proper maintenance, which also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Emerging challenges relate to new environments, new technology and the changing industry situation. Deepwater extraction is not exactly a new situation for the industry but events such as the Macondo blowout, at a depth of 1,600 metres, went beyond the limits of standard safety responses.
The Arctic – with its remote locations, ice cover and long nights – is another unforgiving area.
Increasing automation and digitisation improves safety, allows predictive maintenance and gives early warnings of problems. It also means that fewer people are on site and, thus, in danger. But it can also risk misreading warning signs or unusual situations. Exposure to cyber security threats backed, perhaps, by unfriendly states has grown, as the May shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline in the eastern US reminds us.
A transition away from oil and gas could lead to a long period of low hydrocarbon prices and limited maintenance on plants that are approaching their life’s end. Big oil companies such as BP and ExxonMobil are divesting fields to smaller operators. Many of these are excellent and conscientious but some may lack the big companies’ finances, expertise or reputational exposure.
Lessons won at such high cost must not be forgotten. The victims and survivors of Piper Alpha and other accidents suffered to bring us the energy we take for granted. The industry and the governments that regulate it should honour them by continuing a relentless drive for safety.
Robin Mills is chief executive of Qamar Energy and author of The Myth of the Oil Crisis
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Other IPL batting records
Most sixes: 292 – Chris Gayle
Most fours: 491 – Gautam Gambhir
Highest individual score: 175 not out – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Highest strike-rate: 177.29 – Andre Russell
Highest strike-rate in an innings: 422.22 – Chris Morris (for Delhi Daredevils against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017)
Highest average: 52.16 – Vijay Shankar
Most centuries: 6 – Chris Gayle
Most fifties: 36 – Gautam Gambhir
Fastest hundred (balls faced): 30 – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Fastest fifty (balls faced): 14 – Lokesh Rahul (for Kings XI Punjab against Delhi Daredevils in 2018)
West Indies v England ODI series:
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.
Fixtures:
1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown
2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown
3rd ODI - February 25, St George's
4th ODI - February 27, St George's
5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
